diff --git a/.github/workflows/on-push-to-main-branch.yml b/.github/workflows/on-push-to-main-branch.yml
index f3ae8b3..8099353 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/on-push-to-main-branch.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/on-push-to-main-branch.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ on:
     branches: [main]
 
 jobs:
-  generate-readme-and-prep-release:
+  generate-readme:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Setup repo
@@ -22,8 +22,14 @@ jobs:
           sdk_language: Kotlin
           dev_docs_slug: kotlin
 
-      - name: Update release branch
-        uses: google-github-actions/release-please-action@v4
+  release-please:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: [ generate-readme ]
+    outputs:
+      release_created: ${{ steps.release.outputs.release_created }}
+    name: Release Please
+    steps:
+      - uses: google-github-actions/release-please-action@v4
         id: release
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.MOMENTO_MACHINE_USER_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
@@ -34,23 +40,30 @@ jobs:
           extra-files: |
             build.gradle.kts
 
+  publish:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: [ release-please ]
+    if: needs.release-please.outputs.release_created == 'true'
+    steps:
+      - name: Setup repo
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          token: ${{ secrets.MOMENTO_MACHINE_USER_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
       - name: Set up JDK 17
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
           java-version: 17
           distribution: 'corretto'
-        if: ${{ steps.release.outputs.src--release_created }}
 
       # The Android SDK is required to build the project, even if we are not running Android tests.
       - name: Setup Android SDK
         uses: android-actions/setup-android@v3
-        if: ${{ steps.release.outputs.src--release_created }}
 
       - name: Build project
         uses: gradle/gradle-build-action@v2.11.1
         with:
           arguments: clean build -x jvmTest -x testDebugUnitTest -x testReleaseUnitTest
-        if: ${{ steps.release.outputs.src--release_created }}
 
       - name: Publish to sonatype
         env:
@@ -64,4 +77,3 @@ jobs:
 #          TODO: automatically release when release process is verified to work
 #          arguments: publishToSonatype closeAndReleaseStagingRepository
           arguments: publishToSonatype closeSonatypeStagingRepository
-        if: ${{ steps.release.outputs.src--release_created }}